Established in 2014, The Setting is a collection of luxury wines created by three friends: Jeff Cova, Noah McMahon and winemaker Jesse Katz. Jesse’s experience spans 19 harvests at internationally acclaimed wineries such as Chateau Petrus, Robert Foley, and was a part of the winemaking team at Screaming Eagle. The Setting Wines is a culmination of relationships spanning decades from Napa to Sonoma County to Willamette Valley, sourcing from some of the most prestigious vineyards the regions have to offer. Recently, Jesse was named Wine Enthusiast’s Global Winemaker of the Year for 2025.
This Sauvignon Blanc comes from the beautiful, volcanic hillsides of the vineyard located at Montage Healdsburg which I designed and planted. Fermented in French Oak barrels with Acacia Wood heads from Chateau Haut-Brion, we mimic a familiar technique done in Bordeaux to achieve amazing minerality and lots of spice components in the wine. Our fruit is whole cluster pressed very gently and thereafter settles into tank before going into barrel. Intentionally crafted to be bright and vibrant on the palate with a creamy finish influenced by the touch of oak, the attention to detail that goes into this wine gives it a beautiful opulence and texture.
The nose is pretty, with notes of white peach, green melon, citrus blossoms, and salty wet stone. The palate is focused and tension-packed, with a mouthwatering spine of acidity, and its delicate sweet oak and floral perfume lasts on the finish.
96 International Wine Report
94 Wine Enthusiast This richer-styled Sauvignon Blanc delivers focused aromas of ripe melon, candied ginger, pithy citrus and a whisper of flint on the nose, giving way to decadent flavors of grapefruit, honeydew, white flowers and chalky minerality on the palate before a lifted, acid-driven finish with echoes of orange blossom and sunshine.
94 Decanter A 100% Sauvignon Blanc from hillside vineyards in Alexander Valley and Dry Creek - two warm regions where the fruit carries natural density, yet the wine avoids excess weight or texture. This is a refreshing, high-acid white framed by six months in 40% new French oak. Citrus rind and lemon blossom lead on the nose, with a flash of green guava. On the palate, a slightly sour-sweet note of passionfruit carries through the finish, bringing freshness to the plush midpalate. A clean, lifted finish, and a nice wine, nonetheless. Drinking Window: 2025 - 2035
93 Jeb Dunnuck A bright yellow/silver hue, the 2024 Sauvignon Blanc was raised in 40% new French oak and the rest neutral oak for six months. The nose is pretty and shows more restraint, with notes of pithy white grapefruit, green melon, citrus blossoms, and salty wet stone. The palate is focused and tension-packed, with a mouthwatering spine of acidity, and its delicate sweet oak and floral perfume lasts on the finish. Drink 2025-2032.
